Aerial weapon



20, 1945. A. s. HOWELL 2 370,036

AERIAL WEAPON Filed July 5 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTY,

Feb. 26!, 1945. A. s. HOWELL 2,370,036

' AERIAL WEAPON Filed Jply. 5, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 2- IIIIllI/I/IIIIlI/II/ll {NS/ENTER ALBERT 5. HEI

Feb. 20, 1945. s, HOWELL 2,370,036

AERI'AL WEAPON Filed July 5, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTDR ALBERT 5. HUM/ELL %W%M% ATTY Feb. 20, 1945 HOWELL 2,370,036

AERIAL WEAPON Filed July 5, 1941 4 Sheets-Shget 4 INVENTEIR ALBERT 5. HuwELL WWM Patented Feb. 20, 1945 2,370,036 AERIAL WEAPON Albert S. Howell, Culver, Ind., assignor to The Bell & Howell Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application July 5, 1941, Serial No. 401,130

6 Claims.

My invention relates to an aerial weapon to be used by and against aerial vehicles such as aeroplanes, and has for objects the provision of an effective weapon which is fiuid, particularly air, suspended to await engagement by a fluid supported vehicle such as an aeroplane with a view toward the destruction or at least disablement thereof, which is comparatively inexpensive in its manufacture, which is convenient in the handling thereof prior to and in the placing thereof in use, and which preferably involves a plurality of weapon units desirably related for the convenient handling and launching thereof in multiple and the placement thereof into use in desired space relation.

The invention will be better understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a partial side elevational view of cutting device for cutting one embodiment of the weapon or cutting element of the weapon of my invention;

Figure 2 is a partial end elevational view of the same;

Figures 3, 4 and 5 are partial face views of variations of the cutting elements of the weapon of my invention as cut by the device of Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic view of an apparatus for carrying out the method of making and preparing one form of the cutting elements of the weapon of my invention;

Figure 7 is a partial view of a finished cutting element of the weapon of my invention.

Figure 8 is a face view of a weapon of my invention, showing it in its compact unit form, with parts broken away;

Figure 9 is an opposite face View of the same with parts broken away;

Figure 10 is an edge view of the same with Darts broken away and shown in section;

Figures 11 and 12 are edge views of the same at different stages of the release of the Weapon from its compact unit form, with parts broken awa Figure 13 is a side elevation of the multiple unit weapon of my invention showing it in process of launching;

Figures 14 and 15 are respectively a transverse section and a partial side elevational view of another form of the weapon or cutting element of the weapon of my invention;

Figures 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20 are views of an aeroplane in flight in different stages of launching multiple unit weapons of my invention by the method of my invention; and

Figure 21 is a view showing the weapons of my invention placed in barrage form and showing aeroplane casualties in difierent stages as efiected by my weapons.

Referring to Figure 7, I designates one form of the weapon element of the weapon of my invention which consists of a flexible permanently longitudinally twisted ribbon element, preferably of steel, having a longitudinal edge thereof provided with cutting teeth 2, it being observed that the longitudinal twist of the ribbon element presents cutting teeth around an axis-longitudinal of the ribbon element. A

This cutting element is preferably made and formed in the following manner. See Figures 1,-

2, 3 and 6. A linear piece of flat stock 3 is progressively facewise longitudinally cut in toothed form midway of its width to form two untwisted flexible ribbon elements 4, a longitudinal edge of each of which is provided with the cutting teeth 2 as shown in Figure 3. Figures 4 and 5 show respectively ribbon elements 5 and '6 similar to the ribbon elements 4, but having teeth of different form respectively indicated at l and 8.

This cutting operation is preferably accomplished, see Figures 1, 2 and 6, by means of a pair of oppositely driven revoluble cutting members 9 and H disposed on parallel axes and provided with oppositely disposed circumferential toothed cutting formations l2 disposed in meshing shearing relation and operative to toothedly cut the flat stock 3 into the ribbon elements 4 as the stock is fed lineally therebetween, oppositely facing guides 13 being associated with the cutting members at the cutting station thereof as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Referring to Figure 6, simultaneously with the cutting operation to produce the toothed ribbon elements 4, the ribbon elements are longitudinally twisted progressively therealong between spaced pairs of revoluble pressure rollers I4 and I5 as indicated at It, and simultaneously with said cutting and twisting operations the ribbon elements 4 are subjected to a heat treating operation progressively therealong while maintained in their twisted condition by passing the same through a heat treating apparatus, generally designated at IT, for permanently setting the ribbon elements in their previously longitudinally twisted condition barring previous permanent setting of the ribbon elements in such conditiQn, or for hardening the ribbon: elements twisted condition, assuming them to have been previously permanentlly set in such condition, or for both permanently setting and hardening the ribbon elements in longitudinally twisted condition as may be instantly expedient. As a result of this procedure, each ribbon element is permanently set in longitudinally twisted form. designated fat l8 inFigu're 6, and'is provided with cutting te'eth'along one longitudinal edge thereof, as illustrated in Figure '7.

Preferably, simultaneously with one or more of the processes to which the ribbon elements are subjected as hereinbefore described, the ribbon elements are wound in flat spiral coils for compacting the same, and particularly with reference to forming the compacted weapon element of my weapon, as will now be described.

Referring to Figure 6, a carrier member l q 'is 'intermediately rotatably mounted on a stationary shaft 2|, and a pair of reeling members 22 1 the parachute 28 by a cord 30.

are rotatably mountedon the carrier member on parallel axes disposed in diametrically opposite relation with and normal to an axial plane of the rotational axis of the carrier member.

The finished portions N3 of the ribbon elements are attached respectivelyto the reeling members22 for the winding of annular fiat spiral coils 23 of the ribbon elements thereon simultaneously with the cutting, twisting and heattreating operations thereon heretofore described, these simultaneous operations facilitating making and packing of the ribbon elements.

In the wmdmgor the finished 'p'ortionsof "the ribbon elements on the reeling'members 22, the reeling members are oppositely axially rotated by suitable means not shown in the direction of the arrows in Figure 6, andsimultaneou'sly with axial rotation of the reeling members the carrier member 19 is rotated on its rotational axis by suitable means n'otfshown to rotatethe reelfing members and the coils thereon onan axis extending longitudinally of the. portion's'of the ribbon elements tangential to the coils and in the direction Tcor'respondingwith the twist of the ribbon elements so that the twist" of the ribbon elements does not interfere with the winding thereof into fiat spiral coils. Thereeling members and the coils thereon are axially offset in correspo-ndence 'with the lateral displacement of the ribbons so that the coils on the reeling members do not interfere with'each other.

My weapon unit is illustrated in Figures 8, 9 and. 10, and comprises as follows. The weapon element of this unit as "shown consists ofa compacted flexible linear cutting element, preferably toothed, which is exemplified in these fi ures by an annular flat spiral coil 24 of" the ribbon cutting element 1 illustrated in Figure Land whose manufacture and coiling'has previously been described, and the coil 24 is preferably provided with frangible retaining loop" elements 25 sequentially binding different sections of the 'coil to initially retain the same in coil form, these retaining loop elements being applied to the coil asit is wound.

The coil 24 is arranged in a ,case 26 of flat circular form in corresponding disposition therewith, and the case, or at least oneflat face 21 thereof, is of rupturable material 'such'as heavy paper. A compactable parachute 28 of usual construction is arranged in compacted condition in the case and is preferably arranged 'withinfthe opening of the coil, and is attached to the inner end of't'he coiled ribbon cutting 'element I for suspension of the cutting element therefrom. In

[the rip cord,and by reason of the 25 being "as designated at 34, and extends therefrom in flat spiral form onthe inner face of the partition 31, as designated at 35, and then extends outwardly from the case through openings 36 and a 3'! respectively, of the partition 3| and casing race Z'IQthespiral form 35 of the rip cord being maintained by clips 38 on the inner face of the partition 3 i I v jThefw'e fDOn, may be launched by releasing; the

case and its contents intac't,'say from an aeroplane in flight,' while retaining the extended portion of the ripfcor'dfl. Whentheripcord tensions the central poi ions of the {Jamaica 31 and face' 21 of the'c'ase "are ruptured in' circular form by reason of the spiral'formQI' S of arachute 1 28 being attached to the rip "cord it is extended or pulled from the case. U'pon be ng freed from the case, the parachute bpens, "and being at tached tothe inner end of the cutting element I, it progressive1ypulls the cutting element out of the case,"as' shownin'Figure 11, the cutting .elementprogressively rupturing the partition" 3| and casing face 2"! asi't is 'unc'oiled from the inner end thereofandthe retaining'loop elements progressively broken as the cutting element is uncoiled, thus" effecting a progressive extending action ofthe cutting element. Finally, the parachutedike element 29 is released from the case as indicated in Figure 12.

Thus the rip cord is operative to facilitate extension of the weapon as an incident of releasing the same so that uniformity in launching is effected, the rip cord either being released from the'a eroplane or b'roken'by thetension exerted thereon after it has functioned in the'launching. 7

When the weapon is released andfully extended, 'it'appears as shown in Figure 21, the parachute 28 supporting the same in the air with the cutting element l. depending lineally therefrom and with the parachute-lil e element 29j d ep ending fromthe lower end of the cutting element in inverted relation with the parachute 23,

The weapon in extended oreffective condition, as illustrated in Figure 2l, remains suspended for a period of time, and assuming an aeroplane 39 in flight engages the cutting or weapon element I therfi qf. the weapon element is obviously effective to cause damagethereto.

Assuming the aeroplane 39 "to engage the weapon element l, the parachute '23 and the parachute-like element 29, the latter being'a'ttached to the weapon element in spacedf'inverted relation withthe parachute 28', opposi'ng'ly cooperate in resisting movementfof ,the'en'gaged weapon element extending th'erebetween with resulting relatively reat; pressure betweem the aeroplane and the we'aponfelem'ent and corres'pondingly great damage to th e aeroplane. The parachute 28 and the parachute like element 29 the engaged aeroplaneand hamper insig illustrated by the aeroplane 4| in Figure 21,

which is engaged with a weapon element.

The permanently set longitudinal twist of the toothed ribbon weapon or cutting element l by presenting teeth around an axis longitudinal of the ribbon element renders the ribbon element more eifective. Another desirable form of an effective cutting or weapon element of the weapon of my invention is illustrated at 42 in Figures 14 and 15. This latter cutting or weapon element as shown comprises a copper-clad steel wire, of which the main or inner portion 63 consists of steel of high tensile strength and the surface coating or sheath it consists ofrelatively soft ductile copper, and cutting teeth forming particles 35 of abrasive material, such as carborundum, partially embedded, as by pressure, in the sheath to fix the same therein.

A plurality of my weapons may be placed at spaced intervals to form a barrage as illustrated in Figure 21. In order to facilitate the spaced placement, particularly controlled spaced placement, of a plurality of my weapons, I provide a weapon comprising a plurality of weapon units 46, see Figures 13 and 16 to 20, each weapon unit comprising as heretofore described in detail. The pull or rip cords 33 of all of these units, except an end unit, are spacedly attached to and connect the units in series while the pull or rip cord of said end unit extends therefrom as heretofore described, each rip cord being also as heretofore described tensionally operative on its weapon unit to release the weapon thereof and additionally operative to facilitate extension of its weapon as an incident of said release.

A method of launching my plural unit weapon consists, as illustrated in Figures 16 to 20, in simultaneously releasing all of the weapon units thereof from an aeroplane 67! while in flightand while retaining the extended portion of the rip cord extending from the aforesaid end unit, see Figure 16. Tensioning of this rip cord results in release and extension of the weapon of the first unit, designated at so, see Figure 17, and breaks this rip cord, then the resistance of the weapon 43 of the first unit separates the first unitfrom the second unit, then the resulting tensioning of the rip cord of the second unit releases and extends the weapon of the second unit, designated at 7.9, see Figure 13, and breaks this rip cord, and

so on until the weapons of all of the units have been sequentially released and extended, the lengths of the unit connecting rip cords conveniently determining the spacing of the weapons.

A number of aeroplanes may cooperate in launching my plural unit weapons with a view toward quickly developing a comprehensive placement of the weapons. Figure 19 illustrates a second aeroplane 54 launching a plural unit weapon, generally designated at 55, in following relation with the aeroplane l? of Figure 18.

Figure 20 illustrates weapons placed by the previous plane a! and designated at 48 to 53 inclusive, and the plural unit weapon 55, which has been released by the following plane d subsequent to the release of the first plural unit weapon by the first plane,

The use of my weapon in barrage form is illustrated in Figure 21, in which a lower barrage is shown at be and similar upper barrage is partially shown at 5?, it being observed that a barrage may be maintained indefinitely by establishing subsequent barrages at the proper altitude as the previous barrage slowly descends.

While I have thus described my invention, I

do not wish to be limited to the precise details described, as changes may be readily made without departing from the spirit of my invention, but having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent the following:

1. An aerial weapon comprising a compactable parachute, a flexible linear weapon element attached to and dependable from said parachute, a compactable parachute-like element attached to said weapon element in paced inverted relation with said parachute, means securing said parachute, said weapon element and said parachute-like element in compacted condition, and a cord extending from said securing means and operative thereon to release said parachute, said weapon element and said parachute-like element.

2. An aerial weapon comprising a compactable parachute, a flexible linear weapon element attached. to and dependable from said parachute, a compactable parachute-like element attached to said weapon element in spaced inverted relation with said parachute, means securing said parachute, said weapon element and said parachute-like element in compacted condition, and a cord extending from said'seouring means and operative thereon to release said parachute, said Weapon element and said parachute-like element and attached to said parachute to facilitate extension thereof as an incident of its release.

3. An aerial weapon comprising a rupturable case of flat circular form, a compactable parachute arranged in compacted condition in said case, a flexible linear Weapon element compactly arranged in said case in the form of a fiat spiral coil disposed correspondingly with the case and having the inner end thereof attached to said parachute for suspension therefrom, and a rip cord extending from said case and rupturably related with a flat face of said case to rupture the same and attached to said parachute for re moving said parachute from said case as an incident of rupture of said case.

4. An aerial weapon comprising a rupturable case of fiat circular form, a compactable parachute arranged in compacted condition in said case, a flexible linear weapon element compactly arranged in said case in the form of an annular fiat spiral coil disposed correspondingly with the case and having the inner end thereof attached to said parachute for suspension therefrom, said parachute being disposed at least partially within the opening of said coil, frangible ties retaining respectively sequential sections of said weapon element in coiled form, and a rip cord extending from said case and rupturably related in spiral form with the central portion of a flat face of said case to rupture said central portion and attached to said parachute for removing said parachute from said case as an incident of rupture of said case.

5. An aerial weapon comprising a case of flat circular form, a compactable parachute arranged in compacted condition in said case, a flexible linear weapon element compactly arranged in said case in the form of a flat spiral coil disposed correspondingly with the case and having the inner end thereof attached to said parachute for suspension therefrom, a compactable parachutelike element also arranged in compacted condition in said case and attached to the outer end of said weapon element in inverted relation with said parachute, and a rip cord extending from ef'jaid ci'se td rupture thesame and attached to "-e idbiachute for'r'mov'ihg said parachute ffbm 's'a'id case as a n inc'idntbfrup'ture of said case.

i GJ AnarialfuzehpOn bomprising a, plurality of 5 said r'ele'a'segand. a-n additianal pu11"cord"tcached to an "end ur'iit of' the connectedseries of said units and'tensi'onaHy operative on the' securing "means 'of said end unit to'i'el'ease the parachute, 'ment in epaced'iriverted relation with said parathe Weapon and the -:parachute-like element fliereof and additionally tnsibhally connected -Wit1'i the parachute of said end 'unit to facilitate ektens-ionthereefasan incident to its release.

weapon units, each unit comprising aJ-Cb'zimj'eibt- *ab'le' parachute, a 'fiexibl'e hnear'wea en element attached to and dependable therefrom, a parachiite-like element attached to said =weapon'e1echute, and means seetu ingsaid parachute; said weapon 'ele'ment aind sa'id piiachute like element inbciripactd c0i'1ditic1 1,-'p1i11 cords s paic'edlyattaiched to "and connecting said units inseri'es-and Y tensici-na'lly operative onsaid securing means" to release "said parachutes, 's'aid weapon ele'ments and said parachuteqike elements and additionally tensionally --c'o'nnect'ed with said parachutes to facilitate extension thereof as a'n inident'of "ALBERT S.- HOWELL. 

